Pipe-cleaning device.



G. F. WHITNEY.

PIPE CLEANING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18, 1905.

Patented Dec. 28, 1909.

' aw ezwmzzne WITNESS S.-

//v VEN 708,

UNITED sfrA'rn-s PATENT orni GEORGE F. WHITNEY. OF EAST ORANGE. NEVJ JERSEY. ASSlGllOR. BY MESNEASSIGN- MENTS. TO NATIONAL'WATER MAIN C.LiE ANING-\ COMPANY. OF NEXV YORK. N. Y.,

A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

rIPnoLEAnf vG DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. lafentvll I)( 190th Application filed November 18, 1905. Serial No. 287,948.

To of] whom it may concern:

Be it known that l Gemini: 1*. WHITNEY, a citizen of the United States. and resident of. l lastfirangc. State. of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improve.- ment in Pipe-Cleaning Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for cleaning liquid carrying pipes and has in view more particularly the use of water under pressure in the pipes as the propelling agent, whereby other sources of power may be entirely dispensed with as will now be. described., reference being had to the specilicatioln'the claims and the drawings in which Figure la perspective view .of the complete device. Figl '2-' is a longitudinal sectional -view of the scraping cylinder, showing the method of swiveling itto its carrying rod. Fig. 3 a-rear view of the propelling spindle. F lis a longitudinal section of the same. 1

The device consists of two main parts, namely, the cleaning part and the propelling part. 1

The part of the device which effects the cleaning is made up of several spindles, two A and B in this instance being, used, which consist of hollow cylinders of slightly less diameter than that of the pipe they are intended to clean and being provided on their exterior scrapers respectively to cut, dislodge and remove sediment and incrusted matter from the interior of the pipe, the scrapers a on the spindle B being spirally arranged and adapted to give the latter a rotary movement as it is forced along the pipe. The cutters 71, 0 and (Z on the spindle A are grouped in regular lines around the circumference. of the spindle and adjusting rings 6 may be forced under the free'ends of the cutters 7) and 0 to cause them to extend above the surface of the cylinder andiincreasc the cutting diameter of the spindle.

The cutting spindle, A is carried before the spindle B in order that the cutters may dig into and break the scale or sediment .in the pipe, while the rotating spindle B releases the same. Through the axis of the cylinders extends a rod G which may be of one piece or flexibly jointed between the spindles as shown. The rear end of the rod surfaces with cutters and t is secured to a conical frame l) composed of several rods united at an apex through which the end of'the rod pas es and held thereto by means of the collar 5 and the nut ll. The base of the frame 1) a circular plate E having openings 1' which are clo ed to a greater or less degree by a pivoted plate j rotating about a stud land held at any desired point by a set screw 1. t

Over the frame i) is placed a second frame F made up of a number of stout wires of wavv outline, their front ends being clamped between the. washer r/ and the nut- /1. while their rear endyl are secured to the plate 1C. These wires, which are elastic. serve to guide the device through the pipes and keep the rod C properly centered. ()n the rear face of the plate E secured a ring or washer G of leather. canvas'or other flexible material of larger diameter than .the pipe to be operated on, and when it is properly fitted and its ends dished it prevents the water in the pipe to be cleaned from passing between the plate E and the pipe. whereby a pressure is exerted on'plate E which causes the apparatus to be propelled. The plate 7' serves to regulate this pressure and permit a suitable quantity of water to enter the pipe as the cleaning is progressing, and to wash outthe sediment or incrusting matter that has been broken and dislodged by the cutters and scrapers.

The spindles A and B may be open or closed cylinders and atthe point where they are secured to the rod C they may be provided with spokes m and a hub .11 to freely rotate 0n the rod between collars 0.

When it. is desired to operate this device after it has been placed in the pipe, water is permitted to enter the pipe in the rear of the frame DJ The edges of the washer G are bent backward by the pressure of the water so that the washer Gr fits tightly in the pipe to be cleaned." The pressure of the water, however, as explained, moves the ring G and its frame forward, forcing in front of it the cutting and scraping spindles and causing the. cutters in their forward movement to cut or break any scales or sediment which may be formed on the interior of the pipes, while thescra-pers dislodge and remove the same. A universal joint 79 may be used between the spindles or between the to turn corners and at the same time to remain rigid in. longitudinal movement.

\Vhat. I: claim as new is:

1. In a device for cleaning water pipes,

the combination of a flexible shaft rigid when pushed longitudinally, a nonrotatable cutting devlce' attached to the shaft and arranged to cut'longitud'inally, a scraping device arranged to be rotated by themovement of the'device through the pipe to be cleaned,

a' propelling device adapted to push the cnttingand scraping devices before it, and o1. en1ngs-through the 'propellin'g device arranged to be adjustable to vary the pressure of water onthe propelling device and the volume of water available for washing away the matter detached from the'pipe by the cleaning device.

2. In a device for cleaning Water pipes,

the combination 'of a shaft carrying a nonrotatable-cutting device and a scraping de vice arranged to be revolved by movement of the device through the pipe to be cleaned, a perforated disk carrying flexible material around its periphery and connected to said shaft, and meansffor regulating the area of the perforations to adjust the" pressure 011-" the disk and the Water available for washing away matter detached from the pipe by the 3!) cleaning device to the particular conditions of'the p pe line to be cleaned.

n o J n v o. In a pipe cleaning devlce, the comb nation of a perforated disk, carrying flexible material around its periphery, means for regulat ngthe area of the perforations, a

central shaft attached to the disk, an elastic guiding frame for the disk, and conically ticular condition of the pipe to be cleaned by controlling the pressure upon the piston and the water available to carry away detached matter. i

5. In a cleaning devicefor water pipes, the combination of a shaft, a cutter mounted thereon, a scraper mounted thereon, a propelling device adapted to propel the said cutter and scraper through a pipe and having an openingtherethrough, and means for adjusting the size of said opening to adjust the action of the device to the particular condition of the pipeto be cleaned by controlling the pressure upon the propelling de- 'vice and the water available to carry away detached matter.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 16th day of Nov. A. D. 1905.

GEORGE F. \VHITNEY.

'itnesses C. A. 0. Bowen, V. J. R-AIFERL'Y.

usting the action of the device to the par- 

